BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of May 29, 2007

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

A plaque was presented to Marilyn Butler for 25-years of dedicated service to Skamania County.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Pearce and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows, with the exception of item #8 that was removed:

1.       Minutes for week of May 22, 2007.

2.       Reappoint Sally Newell to Noxious Weed Control Board, position #1 for a 4-year term expiring March 31, 1011.

3.       Reappoint Ken Bajema to Noxious Weed Control Board, position #4 for a 4-year term expiring March 31, 2011.

4.       Reappoint Larry Willson to Noxious Weed Control Board, position #5 for a 4-year term expiring March 31, 2011.

5.       Interlocal agreement with the City of Stevenson to perform reimbursable road maintenance activities within the City limits.

6.       Contract with NW Hydro-Mulchers, Inc for 2007 hydro seeding and mulching projects.

7.       Renewal of lease agreement with Washington State Dept of Transportation (WSDOT) for placement of a GPS antenna on the Courthouse roof for use as a base station for WSDOT Real Time Network.

8.       Resolution 2007-21 County Officials Policy for Travel Reimbursement.

 

Commissioner Richardson joined the meeting via phone from 10:04 a.m. until 10:07 a.m.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2007-21 adopting a policy for County Officials Travel Reimbursement.

 

Dave Cox, Undersheriff advised that the flag at the Courthouse was not lowered to half-staff on Memorial Day.

 

Larry Douglass, Interim Public Works Director introduced Stuart Cato, County Engineer Contractor and reported on the Rock Creek Slide, Rock Creek timber removal project, McQueen Road vacation request, Engineering projects, County Road projects, Solid Waste, and Building Department.

 

Scott Pineo, Recreation and Facilities Director reported on Community Events and Recreation events, Summer Guide, Fairgrounds improvements, boat launches, campground hosts, Buildings and Grounds current projects, Fair Exhibit Hall Kitchen open house, Rock Creek Community Services Center and Courthouse remodel projects, Underwood Community Council, and a critical areas meeting.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007 and reconvened at 11:03 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a roundtable workshop with Mary Ann Duncan-Cole, City of Stevenson Administrator, Sheriff Dave Brown, Larry Douglass, Interim Public Works Director, and Marilyn Butler, Director of Administrative Services to discuss FEMA and Piper Road/Rock Creek Slide.  Also present was a representative from Washington State Department of Emergency Management and three representatives from FEMA.  Commissioner Pearce gave an overview of the slide activity and County and City work expended to date.  Discussion included eligibility for FEMA funding, County/City appeals, core sampling, and the process for requesting consideration of additional project worksheets to include additional work/expenditures incurred.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board discussed Condit Dam removal, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss the Rock Creek Slide, Rock Creek timber removal, Salmon Falls Park and Ride, Salmon Falls re-alignment, Hot Springs grind project, private road ordinance, and future project review, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2007 and reconvened at 11:10 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss Rock Creek Community Services Center and Underwood Community Center, with no action taken.

 

The Board advised they would be attending a Columbia River Gorge Commission workshop regarding a Recreation Resort Plan amendment to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan at the Pioneer Building in White Salmon at 3:00 p.m. today.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, 2007 and at 10:06 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop to discuss VEBA, a tax-free program for unreimbursed medical costs for current and future expenses.  Several employees from various departments were present.  Following an overview of the program and questions from employees, the Board advised that the next steps would be to decide whether or not to proceed with VEBA, and if so, designate the configurations of the group(s) and what types and levels of contribution limits would be allowed.  The Board advised that the proposed group configuration and contribution limits would be sent to all employees on Thursday, June 7th and invited employees to provide comments at a second workshop to be held at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 14th.

 

Commissioner Pearce gave an update on the one-year extension of the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Act of 2000 and the next steps to achieve a multi-year reauthorization.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously that based on the FLSA grievance filed by an employee, the amount owed by the employee is $1,110.09 to settle the employee grievance.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending May 31, 2007 in the total amount of $109,427.19.

 

The Board advised that the purchase of bottled water, coffee and cups by departments would be paid from the General Services Fund.

 

The Board discussed the proposed casino at Cascade Locks and the Broughton Landing proposal, with no action taken.

 


The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m. Thursday, May 31, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON